Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 14: Rich tributes were paid to martyr Tika Lal Taploo and other martyrs of the KP community and security forces who laid down their lives during 27 year long turmoil in the State on the occasion of Balidan Diwas here today.
All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC) organized a programme in connection with observance of Balidan Diwas at ASKPC Bhawan Durga Nagar near here under the chairmanship of Ravinder Raina its president.
The programme was inaugurated by Swami Kumar Ji who was the chief guest on the occasion. He along with other leaders paid rich tributes to martyrs. Others who paid tributes to martyrs included Prof. A N Sadhu, a well known scholar, Vijay Bakaya, senior NC leader and ex MLC, H N Jattoo president AIKPC, Kuldeep Riana, president Samajik Vikas Sanstha, Vinod Pandita president, APMCC, M K Yogi president, NC Minority Cell, Shuban Khaibri free lancer, M K Koul a social activist, Anil Bhat , J L Pandita, Vijay Kashkari, vice president AIKS, R K Raina ex president, ASKPC, M K Bangroo senior journalist and Veena Gurtoo, president women wing ASKPC.
The speakers, while strongly condemning the terrorism and fundamentalism which led to mass exodus of Pandits from Valley in 1989-90 also deplored the role of successive rulers at Delhi who they alleged have failed to restore their homeland to Pandits in Kashmir valley. They alleged that the appeasement policies’ pursued by the successive Governments towards majority community since 1947 has been the main cause of Pandits present plight of the community.
Besides the KP martyrs the speakers also paid glowing tributes to security forces jawans who laid down their lives in fighting Pakistani terrorism in the State during last 27 years of turmoil. They one voice demanded creation of Kashyap Bhomi a separate homeland for Pandits in Valley and warned that community will not make any compromise on the same. They also warned a mass movement will be launched in case further delay was made in passage of KP shrines and temples Bill.
Two minutes silence was observed in memory of the martyrs. The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr T K Bhat while stage was conducted by P K Riana. Mrs Lidoo recited bhajans on the occasion.
Kashmiri Pandit Conference (KPC) also observed the martyrs Day as Black Day by wearing black badges and switching off the lights of their houses and business establishments in the evening.
The KPC also held special prayers for martyrs and jawans of security forces who laid down their lives in fighting terrorism in the State.
At New Delhi KPC held programmes at Palam Vihar and Dwarika under the leadership of Kundan Kashmiri its president. Kashmiri highlighted the importance of struggle launched by the Pandits. He said KPC is committed to separate Kashyap Bhoomi and abrogation of Article 370.
At Jammu KPC vice president Tej Pandita addressed the gathering and paid tributes to martyrs.
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